Friday, July 04, 2008 Fil-American veterans, masons honored Friday By Grace L. Plata
THE Association of Descendants of American and Filipino Veterans and Masons in Davao City will mark Friday the Filipino-American Friendship Day with a memorial at the Davao American and Masonic Cemetery at Father Selga St.
Councilor Peter Laviña, who was invited to the celebration, said this would be the first time that they will pay tribute and honor the veterans during this historic occasion.
"There are over 250 American citizens, veterans, and masons buried at the cemetery just beside the city's Catholic cemetery," Laviña said Thursday.
Among these, Laviña cited former Davao City Mayor Pantaleon Pelayo Sr. (served in 1940-41) and three city councilors, Federico Opada (1938-41), Tiburcio Cervantes (1948-51), and Desiderio Dalisay Sr. (1950-54).
The United States of America (USA) marks July 4 as its Independence Day although the American Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 2.
The Philippines used to celebrate it own Independence Day on July 4 but changed it to June 12. Hence the fourth of July is now celebrated as Filipino-American Friendship Day.
